Game



March 26, 1935. c WAQHS 1,995,786

GAME

SgOriginal Filed May 20, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l ANVENTOR FEW/r 5 Way/75 ATTORNEY March 26, 1935. F. c. wAcHs 1,995,786

GAME

Original Filed May 20, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FFi/Y/f [I Mai/75 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 26, 1935 UNITED STATES 1 GAME Frank C.'Wachs, Milwaukee; Wis.

' Application May 20, 1932, Serial No. 612,458

' Renewed August233'1934 15 Claims. (01; 273-138) This invention relates to games and refers more particularly to a game wherein the arresting .of a rotatably mounted member cooperates with a scoring member movably carried thereby to indicate the score obtained. 7 1

It is an object of this invention toprovide a game, which, through. the uncertainty of the result, will arouse the interest of both children and adults and provide fascinating entertainment.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a game of the character described which is particularly adapted for use in. the home.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a device of the character described so constructed that several gamesmay be played with the device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a game-in which the rotatably mounted member may be operated by the individual andin which the scoring member during its period of movement is exposed to the view of the players, the interest in the game being thus maintained at a high point. I

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention, may be made as come within the scope of the claims. g

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated two complete examples of the physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to the best modes I have so-far devised' for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:,

Figure 1 is a cross section through a game embodying this invention and illustrating the same set up for use;

Figure 2 is a plan view with parts broken away, taken on the plane of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view of the game taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is afragmentary plan view of a'modification of the game with parts broken away and in section; and

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the modification of the game taken on the plane of'the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughoutthe several views, the numeral "10 indicates generally the rotatable body of the game which is mounted-for rotation-about a pin 11 arranged with its axis inclined. I he pin 11 is carried by a support 12 of any suitable construction and shown in the: present instance as; comprising two 5 supporting legs 13 and 14 hingedly connected as at 15. .Thepin 11 is fixed to-the leg 14, which, to insure rigidity, is wide at its base. Thelegs of the support may-be connected-to prevent their spreading apart, or the support may 10 be set up in the body 16 0f. an enclosing boxwithin which the entire game ishoused when not in use,with the leg 13- abutting one outerwallof the body. and the. leg 14 engaging a stop l'lfixedto the bottom of the box;

The portion 18, of thebox body forwardly of the stop 17 provides a convenient receptacle for the. scoring members to be later described during the playing of the game. \The rotatable body 10 of; the game is susceptibleto warious constructions and in the present instance, consists of a disc 19 of Wood or other suitable materialupon oneface of which atransverse strip 20-is secured. This-transverse strip-20 extends "diametrically across the disc 19 and has its opposite end portions cut away to provide spaced-walls 21 which together'withthe disc 19 and a cover 22 mounted on topof-the transverse strip, define aapairof tunnels or -passageways 23 extending from t'he outer periphery of the unit inwardly to a pointclosely adjacent its center.

.-,The; central portion 24- of the transverse strip is left solid and together with the disc. 19 is bored to receive the pin 11. .To reduce friction and wear,-metal washers25a and 26 may befastened to the undersurfaceof the .disc 19 and the outer face or -the transverse strip20. Obviously, the washer-2fi rests on the outer face of the supporting leg 14 and thus-spaces the disc 19 of the rotatable bodytherefrom.

.Encircling the disc .19. andthe cover disc 22 is an upstanding circular-side wall 27. This wallis preferably formed of :sheet metal and is secured to the discs 19 and 22 in any suitable manner, and inasmuch as it extends above the cover disc 22, serve's'to close. the ends of the tunnels or passagew ys 23. t V

Inasmuch as the circular side wall 27 extends above the cover disc'22, it cooperates therewith to form a flat cylindrical chamber or space. This flat cylindrical space is dividedinto a plurality of concentric channels '28 by a plurality of conchannel shaped in cross sectionwith their inner 55 flanges 30 riveted or otherwise secured to the cover disc 22 and their outer flanges 31 overlying the annular channels 28 to partially close the same for a purpose to be later described.

The number of partitions 29 is so chosen as to leave a central chamber 32 of suflicient diameter to extend over the inner ends of the tunnels or passageways 23 a distance substantially equal to the width of the annular channels 28, the cover disc 22 having openings 33 therethrough to communicate the inner end of each tunnel or passageway with the central chamber 32.

The scoring member or members 34, which may be spheres or any other suitably shaped elements of a size to permit them to travel in the tunnels or passageways and in the annular channels, are thus free to pass from the inner chamber 32into either of the tunnels or passageways 23 and vice versa. To facilitate the scoring members rolling from a tunnel or passageway when the same is uppermost down into the central chamber, the inner ends of the tunnels or passageways are curved toward the central chamber.

Communication is also afl'orded between the tunnels or passageways and each of the annular channels 28, but this communication is adapted to be controlled in a manner now about to be described.

The openings 33 which communicate the tunnels or passageways with the central chamber, are extended as radial slots 33 and from the innermost annular partition 29 which defines the central chamber 32, these radial slots have downwardly ofiset longitudinal guideways 35. Mounted in the guideways 35 are slide plates 36, the outer surface of which'is flush with the cover disc 22. These slide plates 36 are of a length to extend from the outside of the side wall 27 to a point adjacent the innermost annular partition 29 and, as clearly illustrated in Figure 2, close of! communication between the annular channels and the tunnels or passageways except as determined by openings 3'1 in the plates. The openings 37 are positioned to align with the annular channels and their number and location determines the annular channels to be communicated with the tunnels or passageways and depends upon the particular game to be played.

Finger engaging portions or handles 38 are provided at the outer ends of the slide plates to facilitate their insertion and removal. 7

Obviously, the greater the number of channels communicated with the passageways, or tunnels, the faster will be the travel of the scoring members 34 from one channel into the other by means of the tunnels or passageways.

Besides the communication afiorded between the several annular channels by the tunnels or passageways, the walls or partitions 29 have openings 39 at staggered intervals to permit the scoring members to pass therethrough from one channel into the other as the unit rotates.

The outer circular wall 27, which provides the outer wall for the outermost annular channel 28, has a single opening 40 of a size just sufiicient to permit the scoring members 34 to pass singly therethrough. Through this opening, the scoring members may be discharged from the unit when the unit is in a position of rotation at which the opening 40 is at the bottom; and when a scoring member leaves the unit in this manner, it may be eliminated from play or may determine a score, depending upon the particular game being played.

To insure the scoring members which leave the unit through the opening 40 being discharged at a single desired point, a guide 41 is carried by the leg 14 of the supporting stand.

This guide 41 has a circular wall 42 overlying the lower portion of the rotatable unit with an opening 43 at its extreme lower portion so that the discharge of a scoring member through the opening 40 is guided and the member drops into the chamber 18.

The manner of scoring may be greatly varied and many varieties of individual and distinct games may be played with the same structure. An extremely simple method of scoring is one in which the players choose scoring members of dilferent colors and the one whose scoring member is last eliminated through the opening 40 wins the game. However, a more interesting game is afforded by providing indicator elements 44 which have different scoring indicia 45 arranged thereon in concentric circles to overlie the outer flanges 31 of the partitions 29.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the indicator elements are in the shape of wide flat rings of glass, celluloid. or any other suitable transparent material and are readily detachably held in position over the open tops of the annular channels by tangs 46 which are adapted to be bent down over the outer face of the indicator element as illustrated. The scoring indicia, as stated, is arranged in rings to overlie the flanges 31 on the partition walls and is divided by means of colors into spaced segments each having a particular value depending upon the game for which the indicator is designed so that when the rotatable unit and the scoring members come to rest, their particular position with reference to the scoring indicia determines a score.

Inasmuch as the scoring indicia is opaque, the indicator units may be applied one above the other as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

In the embodiment shown, the indicator elements do not extend across the innermost annular channel or across the central chamber 32 which is shown covered by a glass disc 4'? having a central opening 48 to permit the insertion of scoring members, but as will be readily apparent, the indicator elements may be discs arranged to extend across all of the channels and also across the central chamber.

As hereinbefore stated, the outer flanges 31 of the partition walls 29 overlie the annular channels so that the indicator members 34 are thereby prevented from outward displacement, and if desired, the flanges 31 may have scoring indicia printed directly thereon or applied thereto by removable indicator rings 49 as illustrated in Figure 4, the indicator rings 49 being readily removably held in position by tangs 50.

Also, the outer walls of the annular channels may be scalloped as at 51, (see Figure 4) to insure the scoring members coming to rest at definite positions with respect to the scoring indicia.

While Figure 4 shows the outer walls of the channels scalloped to insure the scoring members coming to rest at definite positions with respect to the scoring indicia, the same result may be obtained by depressing the outer walls of the annular channels or providing apertures therein of a diameter less than the diameter of the scoring members.

During playing of any of the games for which the structure is suited, the scoring members are first inserted into the central chamber 32 passageways back -into the-centralbhamberuntil the unit -comes to rest with the scoring members: 11

aligned with different "sections 1 of a? the scoring: indicia; or eliminated from: the unit I through 'the discharge openinglOE From--'the-foregoingdescription taken in con nection with theaccompanying drawings; it wi'll '1' be'readily apparentto one-skilledin the' art,,-thatthis'inventionaifords a game which is extremely: fascinating by reason: of the uncertainty 0f the result and the fact that the scoring member-s are visible 'in their 'travel -bac-k and forth fronrone channel-' to the otherduring the operation-== of the game-g and while the structurethas ben illustrated and described-as -built up of separatepieces; it will be-readily apparent that the entire rotatable unit may be-easily molded=of fibre, =a phenol-'bondensation product, or any other suit: able moldable substance What I claim' as my invention is 1 1. Ida game-of'thecharacterdescribed-g the channels and from one channel to-another upon rotation-"of -the-r0tatably mountedmember, retaining means to preventthe outward displacemen-t of-th'e scoring member from said-channels," and means -for-' communicatingcertain iof the.

annularchannels independently of their afore said communication.

2;"In a game of the character "described, a member rotatable about an inclined axis, said member having a plurality of concentric. annular.

1 channels communicating witlreach other through i";

radial openings atstaggered; intervals; a scoring member free to .travel froml'the-in'ner channel a through the -'staggered radialziopenings 5.130 tthe outer channel upon rotation of .i the: rotatablysf/ mounted member, a passageway for. the returns:

ing of the scoring :member from :an .outer ichanei nel to an inner channel independently ofotthe'. aforesaidstaggered radial openings, and suitable scoring indicia adjacent each channel for cooperating with the scoring member upon its coming to rest in an annular channel to indicate a score.

3. In a game of the character described, a rotatably mounted member, said member having a plurality of concentric annular channels communicating with each other through radial openings at staggered intervals, a scoring member free to travel from the inner channel through the staggered radial openings to the outer channel upon rotation of the rotatably mounted member, a passageway permitting travel of the scoring member from one channel to another channel independently of the aforesaid staggered radial openings.

4. In a game of the character described, a member rotatable about an inclined axis, said member having a plurality of concentric annular channels communicating with each other at spaced points, a scoring member free to travel in the channels and from one channel to another upon rotation of the rotatably mounted member, a passageway connectingrall of the annular channels, and means for closing the passageway at certain of the channels whereby other channels are connected with the passageway and thereby s is :afic'ndinguan iauxiliaryi:communicatiomibetween channela: 5. iiIniiar game; of. tithe :character: described-,z a member: :rotatable iabblllli an :rinclined 'ax-is;:=-;=' said a;

Imemben: havinga plurality of concentric-annular i 5 channels acommuni'cating with'neachra other: "at: spaced points;- a scoring memberifreeto traveloin th'eirchannelssandl.fromrpne;schannel=zto another.

' upon :rotationzof ,thelrotata'bly :mnunted :member;--,

a passagewayxforthea return'iofsthe scoring meme: -10

her from an outer channel to an inner. channel, said .passagewaysconnectingi with all OfIhei anular :channelsgand a removable means" for regua, latinglthe connection :between :certainrof; theuan,= nular ichannelsand $13116 passageway;

6. In ;',:a game: 10f; athe character describedeza-z rotatably: mounted member; :said memberi having 1 a phirality ofrconeentric. annular; channels com-s municating witheach-otherthrough:radialzopen ingszatistaggered intervals, .a scoring. member-free: 20 a to travels fIOHYlIIhBI; in'nert :channel 1 through? the staggered-:openingst'zto ethe; aouterr. channel upon: rotation of'ssthe; .rotatablyz'mounted ':member,- ,a passageway: permitting: travelof J the P scoringm member 'from 'z'oneirchannela to another 6 channel :25 .1

independently ofithe. aforesaid staggered :opena; ings, and suitable scoring indiciaaadjacentieach channel-i foricooperatingnwith theoscoring Imam-:-

benzuporrrits coming 1to..rest=in':an zannular chair-1 nelstd ondicateta :scoreg- 7. Inxasgamezzofithe i'character:'described;.:.a member: :rota'tabl'e :about'tanrinciined'taxis; said member: haVin gJa plurality ofrconcentricannular, channels; 1011 its supper surface: gcommurricating.

with eachiother: at: staggered in'tervalsya rscoring a35 5'- member. free =.to..trave1:=in :the; channelsxandfrom one; zchannelezto: rthe others:v and mea-nsz on theundemsurfa'ce fr saidirotatable;member: to pass. therscoringem'ember *fromian outen-channeleto an inner. channelzz,

8::In 1a ;game1.=;0f the scharacter;rclescribed,-;w a .1 member arotatablei about. an :zinclined' axis, a said membenzhaving a plurality tofsconcentric' annular-:1 channels communicating with each other-:atstag-i,

gered sintervalsga scoring ancmben-free to travel 5 inzithe channels;v and iromszone .channelstowan 1 other: 'lupon rotation 10f: I'the:rrotatablyli mounted member means to :returnothe. .:scoring::member fromx-an: outerzchanneliito; aanzinner I channel, land removable means overlying part of each channel 50 carrying suitable scoring indicia cooperating with the scoring member upon its coming to rest in an annular channel to indicate a score.

9. In a game of the character described, a

member rotatable about an inclined axis, said 55 member having a plurality of concentric annular channels communicating with each other at staggered intervals, a scoring member free to travel in the channels and from one channel to another upon rotation of the rotatably mounted member, 60

means to return the scoring member from an outer channel to an inner channel, a plurality of removable means overlying part of each channel and superimposed one on the other and carrying suitable indicia for cooperating with the 5 scoring member upon its coming to rest in an annular channel to idicate a score, said means being readily removable to expose the indicia of a lower removable means.

10. In a game of the character described, a 70 in the channels and from one channel to another 75 upon rotation of the rotatably mounted member, means to return the scoring member from an outer channel to an inner channel, a plurality of indicator elements each bearing distinct and different indicia with each indicator element representing an individual game, and means to readily detachably mount any one of said plurality of indicator elements on the rotatable member to cooperate with the scoring member upon its coming to rest in an annular channel to indicate a score.

11. In a game of the character described, a member rotatable about an inclined axis, said member having a plurality of concentric annular channels communicating with each other at spaced points, a scoring member free to travel in the channels and from one channel to another upon rotation of the rotatably mounted member, means to return the scoring member from an outer channel to an inner channel, and a transparent element covering all of the concentric annular channels and having suitable indicia arranged in circles between the channels to cooperate with the scoring member upon its coming to rest in an annular channel to indicate a score, and means for holding the transparent element in position;

12. In a game of the character described, a member rotatable about an inclined axis, said member having a plurality of concentric annular channels communicating with each other at spaced points, a scoring member free to travel in the channels and from one channel to another upon rotation of the rotatably mounted member, means to return the scoring member from an outer channeltoan inner channel, and a transparent element covering the concentric annular channels and having suitable indicia arranged in circles between the channels to cooperate with the scoring member upon its coming to rest in an annular channel to indicate a score, and tangs carried by the rotatable member adapted to be bent over the transparent element to secure the same in position.

13. In a game of the character described, a member rotatable about an inclined axis, said member having a plurality of concentric annular channels communicated with each other at spaced points, a scoring member free to travel in the channels and from one channel to another upon rotation of the rotatably mounted member, suitable scoring indicia adjacent each channel, means preventing the outward displacement of the scoring member from said channels, a passageway connecting with all of the annular channels, and removable means for closing the passageway at certain of the channels whereby the other channels are connected with the passageway, thereby affording an auxiliary connection between said other channels, and the outermost wall of said channels being scalloped to hold the scoring member upon its coming to rest in a predetermined position in respect to the scoring indicia.

14. In a game of the character described, a stationary support, a rotatable member mounted on said support, said rotatable member having concentric tracks adapted to have a scoring member roll therein, said tracks being communicated whereby the scoring member is free to pass from one track to the other, means at the center of said rotatable member to hold the scoring member and feed the same to one of the concentric tracks, means to return the scoring member from the outermost track to said last named means, and scoring indicia on said rotatable member adjacent the concentric tracks with which the scoring member cooperates upon coming to rest to indicate a score.

15. In a game of the character described, a rotatable member, a fixed support to mount said rotatable member for rotation about an inclined axis, said rotatable member having a plurality of communicated concentric tracks adapted to have a scoring marble run therein and pass from an inner track to an outer track, means at the center of said rotatable member to receive and conduct the scoring marble to one of the tracks, means to return the scoring marble from the outermost track to said last named means, means in said tracks defining positive stops for the mar- ,ble to hold the same in definite locations, and

scoring indicia around said tracks so located with respect to said stops as to cooperate with the marble upon the same coming to rest to indicate a score.

FRANK C. WACHS. 

